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AN EVENING IN NEW YORK CITY

09.13.2018

OUTFIT DETAILS: DRESS / BAG / HEELS / BRACELET

Running around the streets of NYC in a beautiful gown put a HUGE smile on my face. I was definitely in my element. I had a few evening events to attend during New York Fashion Week, so I was in the mood to go all out. I knew I had to have this gown the second I saw it. Its so lightweight and sheer from the knee down.

You can never be too overdressed in New York is my motto.

What do you guys think about this look? xx

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HOW TO GET INVITED TO NYFW AS A ‘MICRO INFLUENCER’

02.27.2018

I’ve gotten a ton of questions over the past few weeks asking how I got invited to NYFW, so today I’m breaking it down for you all! While New York Fashion week may be common for some, a lot of you expressed interest in learning more and really aren’t sure how it works. This was my first experience (as you may have read about here) so I am definitely still a rookie, but below I am sharing how I got invited and what I’ve learned from the experience.

OUTFIT DETAILS: DENIM JACKET (SIMILAR) / TOP / SKIRT / BAG / BOOTS / NECKLACE

When I first started researching about fashion week, I found most of the best information from fellow bloggers. I found it SUPER helpful to read blogger recommendations and learnings which is one of the reasons I wanted to document my experience here for you. I had no idea where to start and while I know that big bloggers with millions of followers have plenty of brands reach out to them to set up VIP experiences, I am considered a ‘micro influencer’ and dont have that kind of luxury. 🙂 Once I reached 30k followers on instagram was when I started think about going to fashion week, but you can definitely still go through the process with less followers! I have also heard to wait until I get my following up a bit more, but I decided to go for it anyways. So here is how I got started…

RESEARCH:

So first I searched the web for any type of guidance I could get. As mentioned above I found blogs, but I also found the NYFW site which gives you all of the lineup details and designer information. Then I found Modem Online which shares all of the press contacts for brands at fashion week: SCORE. So about 2 months before I started to created my lists and reach out to brands and agencies.

CONTACT:

I then created an email template: one for brands and one for pr agencies. I found all contact information either on Modem Online or on each brand’s website there is a press contact email. I started to create my excel of contacts and then the emailing began. I sent out HUNDREDS of emails to basically anyone that I could find. It was a little insane, but the template helped a lot! My email was short and sweet. It consisted of an introduction of who I am, my blog and social reach and why I would like to be invited to the show. You have to keep in mind that these agencies are getting hundreds, if not thousands of requests so short and to the point is best.

I also reached out to a few hotels, asking for comped rooms in exchange for a social love. If they can’t comp, I then asked for a media rate. A few hotels got back to me with a small discount in exchange for a post, but I ended up passing this time around as time was creeping up on me and wanted to make sure I secured a room asap.

NETWORK WITH BRANDS AND BLOGGERS:

I started reaching out to a few other bloggers/firends here in San Francisco to see if they were going and if they wanted to join me for any networking events. The events are much more fun with a friend! It’s also great to add a friend as your +1 and visa versa, as they may have different brand connections then you. I also reached out to a few brands that I have close connections with to see if I could set up any meetings while I was in town. Fashion week is an insanely busy time for everyone, but if you have that connection its great to meet in person.

FOLLOW UP:

Two weeks prior to the trip I sent a follow up email to every single person that I originally reached out to. Its really not until 2 weeks prior do you start getting show invites. Its SUPER last minute, I even got a few invites the week and DAY of! I started to stress a bit because I wasn’t hearing back, but I heard that everything gets situated last minute which made me feel much better.

This is also the best time to download the Fashion GPS app. Majority of brands use this app to send ticket requests and seat assignments, in addition to email. Its a great way to keep your schedule organized and for you to reach out to brands other then email. When you arrive to the shows, your ticket is saved on the app and you can just scan your barcode to enter. Its a lifesaver!

Now that I’ve gone through the process, next season will be much easier now that the brands and agencies have me on their radar. The first time around is daunting and scary, but dont be afraid to put yourself out there- you never know what will happen unless you try!

OUTFIT DETAILS: DRESS / SUEDE JACKET / BOOTIES / BAG

Laurel Creative Photography

Ok, so now that you have the skinny on how I got invited this year, here are a few learnings from my time in New York.

DONT COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS! Someone told me this before I left and it really stuck with me. There are so many ‘big’ bloggers at these shows and its just not healthy to compare your experience to theirs. Also, dont compare your outfits. Everyone has their own style and you will see just about everything at these shows! You dont need a Chanel bag or Gucci heels to attend. You can wear whatever the heck you want! Just be you.

BRING 3 BATTERY CHARGERS. Not kidding. You are constantly live streaming on social media, posting on all channels, getting ubers every 10 mins and my phone battery drained about every hour! Bring a bunch of portable chargers with you.

PLAN TRAVEL IN ADVANCE WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE SHOW INVITES. Show invites come super late, so be sure to have your flight and hotel booked early. Dont stress, the invites will come but the costs of travel keep increasing as you get closer.

NETWORK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I actually loved going solo to most shows so I could meet the people around me. From my experience, everyone was so nice and genuinely wanted to network as well. I met so many blogger friends along the way who I kept running into, making it much more fun. I also went to a few networking events where I met brands as well. The events were great to make new connections, and I hear there are even more of these types of things during the Fall.

HAVE FUN. Its a bit stressful running around from show to show, but dont forget to have fun. It was such an incredible experience for me and was totally in my creative element. Meet people, enjoy the shows and make some time to go to dinners with friends and site see while in NY!

Hope this helps for those of you interested! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! xo

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MY FIRST #NYFW EXPERIENCE

02.20.2018

You guys, I cant believe it! I just got home from my very first New York Fashion week! I have been dreaming of going to fashion week for years, and finally decided to pull the trigger this time around. Last year I started reaching out to a few brands and PR agencies, heard back from a few but didn’t feel like I had enough show invites to make the trip cross country. Then of course, they started flowing in week of which was way too late for me to book my flight. This time around I decided to book early and go for it. I am so glad I did! I still reached out to agencies and brands and was overwhelmed with responses. I was seriously in shock when I started to get invites. Reality finally set in… I was going to experience something I have been dreaming of forever!

OUTFIT DETAILS: BLAZER / SWEATER / DENIM (under $40) / BAG / HAT / BOOTS (my favorite and on sale!)

OUTFIT DETAILS: BOMBER JACKET/ DENIM / BELT / BAG / BOOTS / HAT

Laurel Creative Photography

PRE FASHION WEEK:

While I did book my flight and hotel in advance I did not prepare my outfits with enough time! I’m not sure what happened, the week just crept up on me and then I started freaking out not knowing what to wear! I put a lot of pressure on myself because I really had no idea what to expect. I started ordering online with a week to spare and had to overnight mostly everything. GRR! When things started arriving I felt much better and felt like I had a good selection. Also to backtrack a bit, I did reach out to brands and agencies as I said and requested invites to shows. I heard back from a few, but it wasn’t until my follow up email a week prior (and even some week of) did I start to see invites. I felt SO relieved when more invites came in, as I wanted to get the full experience and go to as many shows as I could. So week of I printed a calendar and started to create my schedule.

WHAT I WORE:

I stayed true to myself and I am really happy I chose to do so. There were SOOO many crazy/cool/creative/interesting outfits and my style is more classic which I stuck with. I organized my outfits in advance which is the only way to do it! I changed maybe 3x a day which is a little excessive but it was fun! I wore this hat and booties NONSTOP. I also picked us this Theory blazer a few days before and I think it was one of my favorite purchases for the trip. Such a classic piece. I also packed a BUNCH of jackets as it was freezing the entire trip! Lots of faux fur, bombers, blazers you name it. I have 2 more outfits to share from the week in my next post.

THE SHOWS:

Ok you guys, I had NO IDEA what to expect when walking into my first show! My first day I ran all over town by myself from show to show and I had such a blast doing it and definitely got the hang of it after awhile. Stand in line to get in, scan a ticket, sit in your assigned set, (hopefully move up to front row if they need to fill seats), watch the show and onto the next! I captured all the shows I went to on my instagram stories which I saved for you to view! A few of my favorite shows included, Carlisle Collection, Leanne Marshall, Marcel Ostertag, Claudia Li and last but not least Marc Jacobs. I was so lucky to go backstage pre Marc Jacobs show as well which was an incredible experience to get the full picture of what goes on.

THE TRENDS:

A lot of hot pink and red, colorful plaids, capes, statement bows, lots of sequin, colorful animal print, and broad shoulders. Are you noticing a trend here? If you like the 80’s you’ll love whats headed to stores this Fall. Not to mention those tiny sunglasses were everywhere!! I’m not sure how I feel about them yet, what do you guys think?!

THE PEOPLE:

People watching was the BEST! I was in creative heaven. People do their thing which I admire and really get out of all types of comfort zones. Next year, I think I’m going to push the button a little more after all, its what fashion week if all about! Also, people were very into networking which I was pleasantly surprised. I met so many cool people, fellow bloggers, photographers and brands. Everyone told me not to compare myself to others, which I didn’t have a problem with as much as I thought. Everyone I met was so nice.

THE EXPERIENCE:

It may have been one of the best experiences in my life so far, and definitely in my career. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity and highly suggest you GO if you are even slightly thinking about it. Nothing compares to being live at a show and seeing beautiful designs walk down the runway in person. I felt so inspired and really in my creative element. I am definitely looking forward to next season now that I got my first time jitters out of the way!

WHAT I’VE LEARNED:

Bring 5 phone charges (really), go solo to shows so you can get the full effect and meet new people, and dont pass up a show just because its a small designer you’ve never heard of. I have SO much more to share regarding what I’ve learned which I will do in a separate post so stay tuned!

Ok sorry for the long post, there’s just so much to share!! If you have any questions about anything please send me a comment below! I’d love to hear your thoughts. As I’ve mentioned over and over, I am still beaming from such a cool week. I am also so glad that I got to take you all on the journey with me via social media. I am feeling so inspired and cant wait to get started on all of the blog ideas that fashion week has inspired me to share with you all. So much fun stuff to come!

Hope you have a great week! Dont forget to check my instagram for behind the scenes from all shows! xo

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